Tree Roots Blocking Pipes: Solutions for Pool Issues

Your pool area might be aesthetically pleasing, but recurrent drain backups can be a major hassle. In the Sutherland Shire and southern Sydney, our investigations using advanced camera technology often uncover intrusive tree roots that infiltrate the joints of older pipes in blocked sewer or stormwater lines near pools.

Resolving a blocked pool drain doesn’t necessarily mean you have to lift pavers or dig up your garden. This article delves into the causes of blockages, the techniques we employ to identify them, and how pipe relining serves as an effective solution by repairing the issue from within the pipe itself.

What Drainage Systems Typically Exist Beneath Your Backyard Pool?

In numerous backyard pools throughout Sydney, the surrounding area is generally paved, tiled, decked, or bordered by retaining walls and garden beds. Beneath this hardscape, you will commonly find several drainage lines:

• The sewer line connected to the household
• Stormwater drainage systems that gather runoff from the roof, paving, and pool area
• The pool backwash line
• Overflow drains and subsoil drains

It’s crucial to distinguish between the pool’s filtration pipework, which links the pump, filter, skimmer box, and return jets and operates under pressure, and the drainage systems. This discussion primarily focuses on the drainage lines, which are particularly susceptible to tree root invasion.

How Do Tree Roots Lead to Blockages in Pool Drains?

Tree roots are naturally drawn to moisture sources, and even a minor leak at a pipe joint can attract them. Roots from trees located several metres away can reach towards a cracked joint in older terracotta, earthenware, or PVC pipes. Once a small root penetrates the pipe, it thrives in the moist environment, accumulating waste and debris, which ultimately results in a blockage.

When a drain near the pool becomes blocked, backwash water has nowhere to go, often causing flooding on the pool deck. If the blockage occurs within the sewer line, it can lead to backups in showers, toilets, and floor wastes inside the home.

If you are landscaping around a new pool, we recommend consulting our guide on suitable tree species to plant to avoid blocked drains. This guide provides details on trees that are safer to plant near pipework.

What Symptoms Indicate a Blocked Pool Drain or Stormwater Line?

Stay alert for these signs around your pool and within your home:

• Pool water drains slowly or backs up during backwashing
• The backwash line overflows
• Water bubbles up through a garden drain or grate
• A sink or shower produces gurgling sounds when the pool is being backwashed
• Water collects on the pavers or lawn adjacent to the pool

Each of these symptoms suggests a potentially blocked or damaged pipe underground, and a camera inspection will accurately identify the problem.

Why Is Excavating Around a Pool Not the Best Solution?

Accessing drainage around a pool can be quite challenging and often leads to damage. Reaching a pipe typically involves lifting travertine or granite pavers, cutting through concrete slabs or retaining edges, or removing garden beds, turf, or decking. After repairing the pipe, restoring the paving and landscaping can be extensive and expensive.

This is why we prefer relining methods over excavation. In the highlighted case below, relining allowed us to navigate around steep stairs and an established garden without causing disruption.

Case Study: Effective Pipe Relining Solutions Near a Pool in Sutherland Shire

A homeowner in the Sutherland Shire reached out to us concerning three significant issues in their backyard:

• A blocked stormwater line next to their in-ground pool
• Gurgling sounds coming from the back garden
• Water pooling in a tiled corner

Our CCTV drain inspection uncovered considerable root intrusion from a nearby tree, cracks in an old earthenware line, and multiple blocked junctions located approximately three metres beneath the pavers.

The accompanying images illustrate the situation: the first shows the blocked pipe before our intervention, while the second depicts the same pipe after the relining process.

Instead of recommending excavation, we undertook the following steps:

1. We cleared the line using high-pressure hydro jetting and root-cutting tools.
2. We installed a resin liner throughout the damaged section to seal the cracked junctions and joints.

The stormwater line was restored to optimal flow without disturbing the pavers or garden beds. The entire process was completed in less than six hours.

What Is the Pipe Relining Process Without Excavation?

We utilise a technique known as cured-in-place pipe relining. A resin-soaked liner is inserted into the damaged section of the pipe, pressed against the inner surface, and left to cure, effectively creating a new pipe within the old one. This method seals any cracks, leaking joints, and entry points that tree roots may exploit. We access the pipe through an existing entry point, such as an inspection opening, ensuring that the surrounding pavers and garden remain undisturbed.

Our dedicated team manages every stage of the relining process, from the initial camera inspection to the final stages, without involving subcontractors. For more details on the process, please visit our pipe relining Sydney page.

When Is Pipe Relining Inappropriate for Pool Drain Repairs?

Pipe relining is ideal for pipes that are damaged yet still retain most of their shape. If a section has collapsed to the extent that a liner cannot be inserted, that segment will require excavation and replacement. Similarly, if a section has sunk and lost its gradient, the liner will follow the dip, resulting in stagnant water, which necessitates reinstalling the pipe at the correct slope.

At times, our camera inspections reveal that roots have breached the Sydney Water main rather than your private pipes. In such cases, the responsibility for repairs falls to Sydney Water, and we provide the footage necessary to facilitate the reporting process.

Common Questions About Blocked Pool Drains

Can the Drain Pipes Surrounding a Pool Be Relined?

Certainly. We can reline the sewer and stormwater pipes located beneath pool surrounds, provided the pipe maintains its shape. A camera inspection is conducted first to assess the damage and ensure that a liner can be installed. If any sections are collapsed or sunk, those areas will need to be excavated and replaced.

What Methods Are Used to Unblock a Pool Drain Without Excavation?

We clear blockages using high-pressure hydro jetting and root-cutting tools. Following this, we inspect the pipe with a CCTV camera. If the camera reveals cracked joints or root entry points, we can install a resin liner from within the pipe through an existing access point. This repair effectively seals the damage without the need to lift pavers, cut slabs, or disturb the garden.

What Common Issues Cause Blocked Drains Around Pools in Sydney?

Tree roots are a primary cause of blockages we encounter around pools, especially in older terracotta and earthenware pipes. Roots penetrate leaking joints and continue to grow until they trap debris. A camera inspection will help identify the specific cause of the blockage in your drain.

Who Is Responsible for Removing Tree Roots from a Sewer Pipe in Sydney?

Property owners are responsible for their own pipes. According to Sydney Water’s guidelines regarding repair responsibilities, the owner must also clear tree roots that invade the junction at the connection point. If our camera footage shows that the roots are within the Sydney Water main, the responsibility for repairs lies with Sydney Water, and we will provide the necessary footage to report it.

How Long Does Pipe Relining Take Near a Pool?

The relining project in Sutherland Shire discussed in this article was completed in under six hours, which included root clearing and lining of the damaged section. The duration for your drain will depend on the length of the damaged area, the number of joints requiring sealing, and the accessibility of the entry point. We will provide you with a timeline after the camera inspection.

Book a CCTV Inspection for Your Blocked Drain Near the Pool

We aim to determine a method for repairing the drain from within the pipe before considering excavation, and we will show you the camera footage before commencing any work.

If you notice signs of a blocked drain near your pool, schedule a CCTV inspection or contact The Blocked Drain Guys at 0418 408 333. Craig or one of our team members will explain the inspection process and what we will be searching for.